Michael Swickard's new novel about New Mexico

Senator Tom Udall seems to draw a distinction between "small" businesses and medium or larger sized businesses. He says, "New Mexico's small businesses are the backbone of our economy." Then he offers facts to back up the assertion: "According to the Small Business Administration, there are more than 150,000 small businesses in our state, accounting for more than 55 percent of our private sector jobs."

Finally Udall issues a plea to his constituents: "This holiday season, we have a real opportunity to support our local, independently owned businesses. In Congress, I've cosponsored a resolution to designate the Saturday after Thanksgiving -- November 26, 2011 -- as "Small Business Saturday." If you're shopping the weekend after Thanksgiving, I encourage you to make a visit to a local small business. This Saturday, I'm going to shop at a small business in New Mexico. Will you?"

(Reuters) - Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords served a Thanksgiving meal on Thursday to Air Force personnel in her first constituent event since she was shot in the head in January, her office said. Giffords dished out turkey with tongs as she stood between Brigadier General Jon Norman and her husband Mark Kelly, said Giffords' spokesman Mark Kimble. The event at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base was expected to draw more than 400 people, mostly U.S. Air Force personnel, retired service members and their families.
Giffords was shot on January 8 at an event for constituents at a Tucson supermarket. College dropout Jared Loughner has been charged in the shooting spree that killed six people and wounded 13, including Giffords.
She is living in Houston, where she is receiving therapy. She arrived in Tucson on Tuesday to spend the holiday with friends and family. Base officials had originally invited a member of Giffords' staff to take part in the annual Thanksgiving dinner, but when Giffords heard of it she decided to go herself, her office said. See video here. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Capitol Report New Mexico - The US Air Force says its pilots need to train at low altitudes to prepare them for worldwide operations and an area covering parts of New Mexico and southwestern Colorado figures to be the best location for the Special Operations Wing to practice. But there’s been vocal opposition, especially from some people who live in Taos and Las Vegas, New Mexico who think the plan is “wasteful, environmentally destructive” and unnecessary. A group called the Peaceful Skies Coalition of New Mexico and Colorado calls for state and federal funding bans and say “this is the time to scale back militarism and save our democracy.” On Wednesday (Nov. 23), a team of Air Force personnel from Cannon Air Force Base outside Clovis, where the aircrafts will take off and land, appeared before the Military and Veterans Affais Committee at the Roundhouse. Read full story of hearing here: News New Mexico